News Blog

17-Feb-2018, Mumbai: The Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS), Mumbai organised an exposure visit to Micro Business Enterprises in Pune for the Self-Help Group (SHG) women residing in the slums Mumbai. 15 women from different SHGs participated in the exposure visit conducted held under the aegis of project supported by Don Bosco Mondo, Germany.

The purpose of this exposure visit was to give an opportunity to women to practically experience the working, operations and functioning of a small business by interacting and speaking to the entrepreneurs. The first visit was to ‘Lavanya Masale’ located in Transport Nagar in Nigadi (Pune). Lavanya Masale is into spice making and selling business. This business was started by a SHG and they manufacture all types of spices (masalas). The participants also visited the factory where the spices were actually prepared and were able to witness how different types of spices are prepared.

The participants were very much fascinated and thrilled by the visit and most of them are very excited to start a small business. Two staff from DBDS animated this exposure visit. “We are certain that at-least a few of our women will start some small scale business after completing the entire series of exposure program that we have organized for them,” said Fr Rolvin D’Mello (Executive Director – DBDS).

19-Feb -2018, Mumbai: The Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS), Mumbai organized a workshop on ‘Personality Development’ for the youth from the slums of Santacruz (East). The objective of this workshop was to educate youth in building their self-confidence and guiding them cope with difficulties in life. 43 young people participated in this workshop.

The workshop started with welcome address by Mr Sunil Pandare (Staff - DBDS) – the chief organizer of this workshop. Ms. Surekha Pednekar (Project Officer –DBDS) was the resource person for this workshop; she guided the youth using various forms like: real life examples, stories and puzzles. An interactive session was held in the end where the youth asked many questions which were all answered by the resource person.

15-Feb-2018, Chinchwad (Pune): The Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS), Chinchwad organized a free health and Eye check-up camp for the residents of Vidya Nagar slum in Chinchwad. 168 people were examined by the doctors in this camp; held under the aegis of ‘Health Risk Reduction’ project supported by AXA Business Services.

The health camp was held in collaboration with Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital and H.V. Desai Hospital in Pune. Dr. Subhash Munot (Gen. Physician), Dr. Sharad Shinde and Dr. Aparna Dhite along with three Nurses, two Medical Social Workers examined the patients during this health and eye camp. Every patient underwent B.P, Sugar level, ECG, ENT and oral cancer test. Patients were diagnosed to be suffering from Joint pain, Fungal Infection, Common cold, menstrual irregularities, Calcium deficiency, Gastric Problem, Skin infections etc. Nine Cataract patients were identified in this camp who will be treated free of cost in H.V. Desai Hospital.

Medicines for the people with illness were distributed free and people with defective vision were given spectacles at a discounted price. Five volunteers from AXA Business Services also participated in the health camp. The volunteers were extremely helpful as they helped in patient registration, arranging facilities, visiting slums and informing people about the health camp and managing the crowd. Few patients were also referred to Aditya Birla Hospital for further treatment. DBDS staff did all the logistical arrangement and canvassing for this health camp.

14-Feb-2018, Pune: The Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS) Pune, organized a legal awareness workshop for the SHG women in the Gandhi Nagar Slum in Yerwada. 28 women participated in this workshop held under the aegis of ‘Women Empowerment Project’ supported by Manos Unidas, Spain.

The objective of the workshop was to make women aware of their rights and entitlements under various laws. Advocate Dattatray Dahinje was the resource person for this workshop. The workshop started with the introductory speech by Mr. Nagsen Chavan (Coordinator - DBDS) where he spoke about Don Bosco Development Society and its Women Empowerment Project.

Advocate Dahinje explained various provisions related to Marriage acts, inter caste marriage, and new amendments and provisions related to IPC - 302, 420,498(a). This was followed by an interactive session; where participants asked questions and obtained answers from the resource person. Miss Nilima Chandhare (Trainer - DBDS) gave vote of thanks and also shared the schedule of such workshops in future with the participants.

10-Feb-2018, Mumbai: The Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS) organized a cancer awareness and detection camp for the women residing in the slums of Ganesh Nagar in Mumbai. More than 100 women were examined in this health camp. This health camp was held under the aegis of project supported by Don Bosco Mondo, Germany.

This Cancer screening camp was organized in association with Indian Cancer Society. Ms. Surekha Pednekar (Project Officer - DBDS) and Ms. Ranjana Gangurde (Staff-DBDS) inaugurated the camp. The camp was held in the premises of Ganesh Vidhyalaya School. Ms. Surekha welcomed and thanked Mr. Ashok Chavan, Mr. Anuj, Dr. S. P. Rao and their team for their support to this camp.

Most of the women beneficiaries of this camp were from poor families who would have otherwise never gone to the hospital for examination. All women were screened for ENT cancer (including indirect laparoscopy) and comprehensive Gynaecological examination with Pap-smear test by specialized team of doctors and paramedical staff. All the tests and services were provided free of cost.

Mrs. Swati Chalke who underwent cancer examination test expressed her satisfaction by saying “I had one case of cancer in my family, hence I was deeply scared. Thanks to Don Bosco for organizing this camp. I am feeling better now and underwent free cancer check-up.”

10-Feb-2018, Pune: The Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS), Pune organized an Adolescent Health awareness session at Mother Teresa Nagar Slum in Yerwada (Pune). Mr. Nagasen Chavan (Coordinator) introduced the resource person to the participants and also explained about the project. 23 girls were attended this session. Mrs. Archana (Alochana Foundation) was the resource person. She explained about various dimensions of adolescent health and covered following topics:

Physical body changes and their stress, gender discrimination

Psychological and emotional changes.

How to keep balance of Psychological changes.

Body cleanliness, Female reproductive system

Balance diet etc

Ms Nilima Chandhare (Trainer –DBDS) also guided the girls on adolescent health and environment. Girls enjoyed the session and also requested to frequently organize such sessions.

10-Feb-2018, Pune: The Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS) Pune, organized a 5-days income generation and business management training for the women of Mahalaxmi Self Help Group. 20 women participated in this training held under the aegis of ‘Women Empowerment Project’ supported by Manos Unidas, Spain.

The training was held during 5-Feb to 10-Feb 2018 in association with Kasturba Mahila Khadi Gramodyoug Vidyalaya, Pune. Mrs. Lalita Mahajan and Mrs Uma Dhotre were the trainer for this training. The objective of the training was to learn production of phenyl, liquid soap and herbal shampoo. All the products were taught practically and theoretically.

The trainers taught the production of Dish wash, Phenyl, Hand wash, Washing Powder, Toilet Cleaner, Shekakai Shampoo, Aloevera Shampoo and Mix Shampoo. Printed training literature was also given to participants. Mrs. Uma Dhotre also took a special session on Product cost and budget, business development and Marketing.

13-Feb 2018, Pune: The Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS) Pune, promoted different women Self-Help Group (SHG) to participate in the exhibition-cum-sale organized by the Kasturba Mahila Khadi Gramodyog from 10th February to 13th February 2018.

Five women SHGs (Mahalaxmi, Navidisha, Sadguru, Gayatri and Nari Shakti) from the slums of Pune participated and sold their products in this exhibition. The sold product included Liquid soap, Sweaters, Spices, Sweets and Bhel- Panipuri.

Mr. M. B. Kamble (Director - Capacity Building, Maharashtra state) visited the SHG stalls and appreciated the quality of products made by these women. The SHGs made a sale of more than Rs 15,000 in just 3 days. All the staff members of DBDS mobilized the SHG members to participate in this event.

10-Feb-2018, Chinchwad (Pune): The Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS), Chinchwad organized a health awareness workshop for the adolescent girls residing in the Ambekar Nagar slum in Chinchwad. 24 girls participated in this workshop held under the aegis of “Health Risk Reduction” project supported AXA Business Services.

Dr. Pratibha also spoke about the safe and effective birth control methods. After that she covered topics on risks of consuming tobacco. This was followed by a question and answer session in which the participants asked questions which were answered by the resource person. Ms Vibhawari Kamble (DBDS - staff) arranged the logistics for this workshop in Ambedkar Nagar slum.

13-Feb-2018, Chinchwad (Pune): The Don Bosco Development Society (DBDS), Chinchwad organized a health awareness session for the women residing in the Khadi Machin slum in Chinchwad. 16 women participated in this programme held under the aegis of “Health Risk Reduction Project” supported AXA Business Services.

The objective of the programme was to educate women on health, hygiene and health risk behaviour. Ms. Lalita Chaudhari (Coordinator- DBDS) introduced the resource person and about the agenda of the session. Dr. Pratibha Lokhande (MBBS) was the resource person for this workshop. In the first part, she educated women on the physical and mental health and its relationship to sanitation. As the participants were young she adopted life cycle approach in her session. This session also educated them on reproductive and child health.

In the second part of the session, she spoke about the safe and effective birth control methods. After that she covered topics on risks of consuming tobacco. This included educating them on the harmful effects of tobacco on body and mind, oral cancer, lung cancer and many more health problems associated with it.

This was followed by question and answer session in which ladies asked many questions related to their personal and child health and chewing tobacco. Mrs. Rajshree Deshkhaire (DBDS -Staff) did the logistical arrangement for this workshop and organized women to participate in this event.